California Baptist University and Naval Surface Warfare Center Corona Division sign Educational Partnership Agreement

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (August 29, 2023) – California Baptist University (CBU) and the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Corona Division signed an Educational Partnership Agreement (EPA) on August 29 extending a partnership between the two entities that was formed in June 2014. The new five-year agreement will aid in the education experience of CBU students by providing access to NSWC Corona Division staff expertise, unique facilities and equipment related to academic disciplines including data science with emphasis but not limited to data analytics, data visualizations and networked environments.

“Extending our partnership with NSWC gives CBU students unique educational experiences through emerging technologies utilized by the military,” said Dr. Charles D. Sands, provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs at CBU. “Through this collaboration, we will inspire and better prepare students with the skillsets required for employment with high tech employers such as the Department of Defense.”

As part of the updated agreement, NSWC will make Corona Division personnel available to teach courses at CBU or assist in the development of curriculum and materials within fields of study such as science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), and in business. CBU faculty and students will be involved in defense laboratory research and technology transfer projects. Furthermore, faculty will have sabbatical opportunities, and internship and volunteer opportunities will be provided to students.

“We are committed to cultivating a qualified defense workforce that can both develop and anticipate future technologies that help keep our communities safe,” said Captain Michael P. Aiena, USN Commanding Officer, NSWC Corona Division. “Partnering with universities like CBU to share resources and technologies ensures we intentionally prepare for the evolving defense needs that are to come.”

Since first signing an Educational Partnership Agreement in 2014, NSWC Corona Division has taken on more than 50 CBU interns and hired more than 70 graduates making them the number one employer of the Gordon and Jill Bourns College of Engineering graduates. The relationship also resulted in Dr. Anthony Donaldson, founder of the College of Engineering at CBU, named an honorary Technical Director of Naval Sea Systems Command at NSWC Corona in November of 2016.

Education Partnerships between the Department of Defense and educational institutions in the United States was signed into law in 1990 (Public Law 101-510, enacted 10 USC 2194) for the purpose of encouraging and enhancing study in scientific disciplines at all levels of education.

The updated Educational Partnership Agreement will be activated in the 2023-2024 academic school year.

About California Baptist University:

Founded in 1950, California Baptist University is a top Christian university on the West Coast. CBU offers more than 100 majors, as well as 40 graduate programs and seven doctoral programs. Affiliated with California Southern Baptist Convention, CBU is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities and the International Association of Baptist Colleges and Universities.

CBU's Gordon and Jill Bourns College of Engineering is preparing engineering students of excellence and character with a Christian worldview, called to serve, equipped to lead and sent to engage the world with their lives and appropriate use of technology. The engineering college offers 11 degrees, including aviation, biomedical, civil, computer science, and electrical and computer engineering; along with research designed to improve life in developing parts of the world.

Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Corona Division:

NSWC Corona Division has provided analysis and assessment for the Navy since 1964. It engineers, builds, buys and maintains the Navy's ships, submarines and their combat systems to meet the Fleet's current and future operational requirements. NSWC has field activities dispersed throughout the country that are providing the engineering, scientific, technical and logistical expertise, products and support to the Fleet, Department of Defense and other customers. With expertise in gauging the Navy’s warfighting capability, NSWC Corona has established itself as a leader in advanced data analytics by leveraging networked environments, machine learning, visualization, business intelligence applications to bridge the Navy’s data silos, and enabling informed decision-making for the warfighter. Anchor to the Inland Empire Tech Bridge, NSWC Corona is located in Norco, California, with detachments in Fallbrook and Seal Beach and personnel in 14 additional locations.